STAFF
Floriane Vermeire
Founder and director at The Heart of Horsemanship. She was born with horses in her heart! From a young age, she has been fascinated by their language and has loved to learn about them. The horses constantly bring purpose and passion into her life. They truly fill the heart and soul with wonder and love.
Floriane’s background is varied and encompasses many aspects of the equine industry: instructor to trainer to animal advocate to equine rescuer to continuing education. In 2016, she started her own business, “The Heart of Horsemanship,” which has held great pride. She has worked in Europe and in Canada. She has been privileged to gain over 10 years of experience in animal-assisted therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and hippotherapy programs. Alongside her instructor certification, diploma in equine studies, many courses true the institution of child psychology, and soon-to-be-completed (September 2026) CCAATA (Child-centred Animal-Assisted Therapy Association) certification, she continues her education through Queen’s University with her life goal to obtain her MA in psychology and a master's in play therapy. Her big dream is to have an Equine Play Therapy program to help children in the mental health sector. She's CPR Level C certified. During lessons, she focuses on building confidence and resilience while helping kids thrive through partnering with ponies, each of whom has a unique story to share. Her ponies are truly family, and she’s excited to share these beautiful souls with you! Each pony goes through a 2-year training program after their rehab to become a triple-safe partner in our bilingual (Fr./Eng.) programs. Floriane’s immense amount of patience, creativity, and calm energy make her work a unique experience. Floriane continues to enjoy every aspect of her career and is very excited to get to know you and meet each individual’s needs.
Every day she works on some new future plans, and because of that, she's very proud of where she is right now. "Keep your dreams alive. Understanding to achieve anything requires faith, believing in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember, all things are possible for those who believe" are just some of her favourite quotes. During her free time, Floriane enjoys the outdoors, helping horses in need, and endurance riding (she's a 2026 national rider!),
Emma Tonka
I am a motivated and energetic individual with extensive experience working with children, animals, and outdoor environments. I bring a strong passion for hands-on work, teamwork, and creating positive experiences for others through care, engagement, and responsibility. I am trilingual in English, French, and Spanish, which allows me to communicate effectively in diverse environments. I am known for being outgoing, reliable, and adaptable, with the ability to stay calm under pressure and work efficiently both independently and in team settings. My experience includes babysitting, daycare support, summer camps, equine and youth programs involving children and horses, outdoor nature camps, and customer service roles. Through these experiences, I have developed strong leadership, multitasking, and problem-solving skills, along with a deep understanding of safety, responsibility, and group engagement. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I'm currently continuing my education as a teacher. I also have a strong interest in outdoor activities, sports, animal care, and environmental learning. I bring positive energy, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to creating safe, fun, and meaningful experiences in every role I take on. CPR Level C certified.